2 minute read
Golf Maintenance Update
ON THE GREENS:
CREATING THE "WOW" FACTOR
As we look toward to 2022, our goal is to create the best playing experience for as much of the year as possible while also limiting course closure times. Our recently updated Strategic Plan allows for time to refine the re-grassing plan for the North Course, aggressively work the soil, and develop a plan for the native areas to create a “wow” factor when we renovate. I’d like to recognize our Agronomy team’s incredible efforts to prepare the North Course for the fall U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. Showcased in national media, as well as internationally, the North Course was the premier backdrop for the USGA tournament, and we could not have been more proud. Since joining Berkeley Hall this past Spring, one of my top priorities has been assessing both golf courses and the Golf and Greens portion of the Berkeley Hall Strategic Plan. Our focus has been on improving the playability of both courses while meeting overall agronomic challenges. After four months of evaluations, the Agronomy team recommended a series of adjustments to the Strategic Plan, the Golf and Greens Committee concurred, and the Berkeley Hall Board of Directors approved the changes at the September board meeting.
NORTH COURSE RE-GRASSING IN 2023
The Strategic Plan now incorporates scheduling of the North Course re-grassing in 2023. This was not an easy decision, but we believe the benefits far outweigh the risks. One very important aspect of the conclusion is our commitment to overseed the North Course in both 2021 and 2022. This should provide better/ dryer playing conditions than the membership has experienced in the past during winter months. Below are some of the factors considered:
BENEFITS:
Provides the opportunity to apply ample amounts of sand on the North Course so sand-capping is not required, more consistent playing conditions from the fairways and the rough, and possibility of shorter
closure time during re-grassing. Provides time to continue work on drainage in the rough and around tees on both courses. Allows an additional year to focus on returning the South Course greens to proper health. Protects South Course re-grassing investment and allows for proper aerification of South Course in 2022. Allows GCM team to continue to aggressively aerify the rough on the South Course and the fairways and rough on the North Course to improve drainage and playability. Provides the new GCM team with an additional year to evaluate and assess the entire golf course and ensures membership gets the best product possible after the re-grassing.
RISKS:
The Tift-Sport does not transition after overseeding and playing conditions are not optimal during the summer (June/July/August), and we are forced to sod some areas of the golf course. For 2022, the focus will be continuing to aggressively work the soil with sand channeling, aeration,
and top dressing. The Fazio putting green will be doubled in size to provide members with more room to practice and create more level putting surfaces for practice. Additionally, the plan is to renovate the warm-up side’s short-game area and create more usable space for pitching/chipping and bunker warm-up. As stated above, our goal is to create the best playing experience for our membership throughout the year, as we continue to enhance the overall integrity on both courses.
